Champions Trophy 2025: Pakistan Set To Host ICC Event After 29 Years Despite Intense Scrutiny

Pakistan are set to host the Champions Trophy 2025 from February 19 to March 9. However, this feat of hosting an ICC event after 29 years didn't come easy for Pakistan. Here's why.

Champions Trophy 2025: While Pakistan will host the matches in Karachi, Lahore and Rawalpindi, all India matches will be played at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium, Dubai.

Source : X/ @ICC (left) and X/ @TheRealPCB (Right)

Pakistan are set to host the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, set to take place from February 19 to March 9. This will be the first time in over 26 years that Pakistan will be hosting an international cricket event. Pakistan last hosted a global cricket tournament during the 1996 ODI World Cup, which was co-hosted alongside India and Sri Lanka. However, hosting the Champions Trophy 2025 didn’t come easy for Pakistan, as the country's capability to stage the mega event was repeatedly questioned.

While Pakistan will host the matches in Karachi, Lahore and Rawalpindi, all India matches will be played at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium, Dubai. The ICC ultimately decided to schedule India’s matches in the United Arab Emirates after the cricketing powerhouse declined to travel to Pakistan due to political connotations, especially after the 26/11 Mumbai attack.

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However, doubts about Pakistan hosting the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 weren’t limited to India alone—cricket followers on social media were quick to seize every opportunity to mock and criticise the nation.

For example, when the BCCI informed the ICC of its decision not to travel to Pakistan for the Champions Trophy, cricket fans quickly took to social media to react, crack jokes, and share classic memes.

Have a look at a few social media posts here:

Pakistan is currently the most unsafe place in the world, and Pakistani people, including Daniel Alexander, think India should travel to Pakistan to play Champions Trophy matches. What guarantees India's safety there? #QuettaRailwayStation #Pakistan #bombblast @_FaridKhan pic.twitter.com/Xhl1d4nmLU

— Pranaw Pandey (@PranawPandey44) November 9, 2024

Why Pakistan is begging India for the champions trophy

— Arvind kannaujiya AK94 (@Asliarvind1) November 9, 2024

India has got many reason to Say No to Champions Trophy

— Virat (@rajat_1606) November 9, 2024

Another incident that sparked a strong social media backlash, especially among Indian cricket fans, was Rachin Ravindra’s unusual injury during the first ODI of the tri-series against Pakistan on February 8. The New Zealand batter suffered a forehead laceration that left him bleeding and was immediately taken off the field. Despite New Zealand Cricket’s reassurance that he was "otherwise well," social media users urged the ICC to reconsider Pakistan as the host for the Champions Trophy 2025.

Here's a look at some of the social media reactions after Rachin Ravindra's injury:

According to Dr. Nauman Niaz and Rashid Latif, the adjustment of the LED lights at Gaddafi Stadium was not done properly before scheduling the match. As a result, the incident involving Rachin Ravindra occurred.#PAKvNZpic.twitter.com/9XTNdqk463

— Bemba Nation (@BembaNation) February 9, 2025

Rachin Ravindra injury 🤫your Chinese flood light will injured more in champions trophy if @ICC didn't take any action.

— Virat Kohli Fan Club (@Virat_Smasher) February 9, 2025

Pakistan's incomplete and poor-quality infrastructure claimed its first victim even before the Champions Trophy.

Rachin Ravindra got seriously injured due to faulty floodlights.

— Ankit Uttam (@ankituttam) February 9, 2025